Many Americans, especially those with lower incomes, are experiencing financial challenges
% saying they …
* Wording included “enough income to lead the kind of life you want.”
** Wording included “emergency or rainy day funds that would cover your expenses for three months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn or other emergencies.”
*** Wording included “cannot pay some bills or can only make a partial payment on some of them” in a typical month.
Note: Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings.
** Wording included “emergency or rainy day funds that would cover your expenses for three months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn or other emergencies.”
*** Wording included “cannot pay some bills or can only make a partial payment on some of them” in a typical month.
Note: Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 20-Aug. 9, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Many Americans, especially those with lower incomes, are experiencing financial challenges
% saying they …
| Upper income | Middle income | Lower income | All adults | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do not currently have enough income* | 26 | 59 | 82 | 60 |
| Do not have rainy day funds** | 20 | 52 | 77 | 53 |
| Cannot pay all of their monthly bills*** | 7 | 22 | 49 | 27 |
* Wording included “enough income to lead the kind of life you want.”
** Wording included “emergency or rainy day funds that would cover your expenses for three months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn or other emergencies.”
*** Wording included “cannot pay some bills or can only make a partial payment on some of them” in a typical month.
Note: Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings.
** Wording included “emergency or rainy day funds that would cover your expenses for three months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn or other emergencies.”
*** Wording included “cannot pay some bills or can only make a partial payment on some of them” in a typical month.
Note: Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2025 earnings.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted July 20-Aug. 9, 2026.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
